Epic rumble 'The Outsiders' opens tonight at MCFTA

Niky Housefor the Daily News

Published 12:52 pm, Thursday, August 3, 2017

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Young actors rehearse a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Young actors rehearse a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy ... more

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From left, Emily Rose Green, Rhiannion Hintz, Joel Lingaur and Nick Alfano act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

From left, Emily Rose Green, Rhiannion Hintz, Joel Lingaur and Nick Alfano act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday ... more

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(LEFT) Young actors rehearse a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (ABOVE) Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Michael Adams, playing the role of Sodapop, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

(LEFT) Young actors rehearse a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (ABOVE) Nick ... more

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Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's ... more

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Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Michael Adams, playing the role of Sodapop, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Michael Adams, playing the role of Sodapop, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's ... more

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LeVale Walker, playing the role of Johnny, acts in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

LeVale Walker, playing the role of Johnny, acts in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the ... more

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Isaac Haviland, playing the role of Two-Bit, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Isaac Haviland, playing the role of Two-Bit, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's ... more

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Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. Read more in Verge. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, left, and Donald Owens III, playing the role of Bob, act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's ... more

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Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, acts in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

Nick Alfano, playing the role of Ponyboy, acts in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the ... more

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From left, Emily Rose Green, LeVale Walker, Rhiannion Hintz, Nick Alfano and Joel Lingaur act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim Theatre, on Monday at the Midland Center for the Arts. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net) less

From left, Emily Rose Green, LeVale Walker, Rhiannion Hintz, Nick Alfano and Joel Lingaur act in a scene during dress rehearsal for a production of The Outsiders, presented by Center Stage Theatre's Interim ... more

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Epic rumble 'The Outsiders' opens tonight at MCFTA

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Two groups - the Socs and the Greasers - will meet up on stage at the Midland Center for the Arts in Interim Theatre's "The Outsiders."

Claudia Marsh, director, describes "The Outsiders," which starts tonight, as "the quintessential coming of age story if you grew up on the wrong side of town."

The story has some familiar themes.

"I love that this story is so timeless," Marsh said. "The idea of us vs. them has been a theme throughout history in both fiction and not. Us vs. them, sharks vs. jets, Capulet vs. Montague, and in this case Greasers vs. Socs. This book has beenrequired reading in schools for years. I love the challenge of bringing the story that everyone knows to life. To make it our own."

Nick Alfano, who will be a junior at Midland High School, plays the part of Ponyboy.

"Ponyboy is a 14-year-old Greaser who lives with this brothers Sodapop and Darry," he said. "He is the youngest of the Curtis boys and is unique in the sense that he prefers art and creativity over auto mechanics and gym. I love this role!"

Alfano can relate to his character.

"A lot of his views and interests are the same as my own," he said. "I love how the story is so impactful and relatable even today. Showing the differentiation between Greasers and Socs and how that line can be blurred is crucial in both the plot and in real life."

Alfano played Henry Clerval in the MCFTA production of "Frankenstein" last summer. As part of Midland High Drama he also played Peter Pan in "Peter and the Starcatcher" and King Harold in "Shrek the Musical."

LeVale Walker, who will also be a junior at Midland High, plays the role of Johnny Cade.

"Johnny is not the youngest, but he's sort of protected by everyone else," he said. "My favorite part about playing Johnny is probably the emotion that comes with it - it's a deep and emotional character. So much has happened in his life and he brings that to the table."

Walker also participated in "Frankenstein" as DeLacey, and "Peter and the Starcatcher" as Prentiss. He appeared in Midland High's "The Crucible" and Interim Theatre's "The Comedy of Errors" as well.

Melissa Bornemann, the assistant director, has appeared in "Assassins," "Mary Poppins," "Cabaret" and "Shrek the Musical" at MCFTA. She shared a bit about the "The Outsiders."

"There are so many moments that strike you: Johnny's growth as a person, the Curtis brothers' family dynamic, Dallas and Twobit's antics," she said. "I think that my favorite moments, I can't narrow it down to just one, would be Johnny's speech at the end and Dallas' monologue as he is dealing with tragedy."

The cast, composed of teenagers and young adults, has impressed Bornemann.

"The way that they have latched on to the material and taken it to a place that Claudia and myself couldn't have ever imagined, at such a young age, is beautiful to watch," she said.

Marsh, the director, also enjoys the cast.

"I've found through this process that I enjoy directing this age group. They are so eager to learn the craft," she said. "Our cast is full of bright young adults who are passionate about their art and it makes my heart happy to see that. It's been a treat working with them and making this world come to life together."

Marsh has choreographed combat scenes in several productions over the years, including: "Heathers the Musical" and "Of Mice and Men" at Pit and Balcony; "Crazy for You," a Teenage Musicals Inc. production, and "Frankenstein" and "Quixote" at MCFTA.

The scene in "The Outsiders" will not disappoint.

"Well the stage combat choreographer in me is geeked about a pretty epic rumble," she said.

Walker, who plays Johnny Cade, assures that audiences will be captivated.

"I think that the story of 'The Outsiders,' from beginning to end, really grabs your attention and brings you in," he said. "The audience can expect tears, ups and downs and lots of emotion. They can expect to leave the theater thinking just a little bit differently because the message is so amazing. A lot of the message is not to judge people when you don't know them."